Sign



March l2, 1940. H. N, CARVER SIGN Filed March 18, 1938 Carver IIIA l lNV`N/TOR ATTORNEY damage to the reinforced portions.

Patented Mar. 12, 1940 SIGN Horace N. Carver, Wichita, Kans.

Application March 18,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to signs and more particularly to signs composed of individual characters capable of reflecting and/or refracting light rays.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a sign suitable for use on a thoroughfare to convey appropriate information to motorists for warning or directing the motorists, and to provide the sign with spaced reinforced and weakened portions whereby the sign bends on the weakened portions, when hit, and thus avoids Other important objects of the invention are to form the characters of the sign as individual units in order that replacements of the units may be made, when necessary, without the necessity of replacing the complete sign; to provide for mounting the characters on a standard in such a manner that should the standard be bent, the sign will remain eective for light reecting and refracting purposes; to provide divided reflecting pieces for the characters for reducing cost of replacement of pieces due to breakage; to provide a sign attractive in appearance, durable in structure and efficient in operation; and to improve the parts and arrangement of parts making up a sign of this character.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a sign embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective View oi a character adapted to be mounted on a standard to form a portion of the legend for the sign.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical section through the character of Fig. 2 on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail rear perspective view of a character frame.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of an arrangement of one form of reflecting pieces for making up the character of Fig. 2. t

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a backing member employed with the character shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a rear perspective view of a modied form of character embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a sign illustratinga standard having an embossed character.

Fig. 9 is a detail vertical cross-section through the modified form of standard illustrating the 193s, serial No. 196,647` y (ci. iii- 125) modified form' of character mounted on the standard. f

Fig.` 10. is a detaill bottom view of a type of reflecting piece which may be employed with either form of character, its application to :a

character being illustrated in Fig. 9.

Referring more in detail lto the drawing:

The invention generally consists of a frame I, Fig. 4, shaped to conform to a character of a legend, and, as an illustration, the character is here shown in the vform of the letters S. 2, 3 and Il, Fig. 5, and 2,'Fig. 10, designate reflecting vmembers or pieces adapted to be arranged within the frame I in such `a manner as to reiiect or refract light rays impinging against the front face of the character. 5, Fig. 6, designates a' backing member which is preferably employed to retain the reflecting pieces within the frame I.

More particularly, the frame I is preferably cast in a single piece and consistso'f a rim 6 forming a front face for the character 'of a width suflicient to clearlydeiine the conformationof the character in such a manner that the characte'r may be seen from a distance. The rim l( has a flange 'I connected thereto, the ange 'I preferably following the outer periphery of the rim to additionally denethe conformation of the character. An'ariglev 8 is formed between the rim and the flange to provide a seat for the outer edges of the reflectingpieces 2, 3, 4, `and/or 2. The reflecting pieces are adapted to be mounted in the frame in such a'manner that their outer surfaces-9, Fig. 2, are exposed through the openings IO of theframe and the edges I I of the piece 3 for example, Fig-5, are adapted to abut againstv the inner face I 2 of the rim 6 bounding the openings I0. The other pieces may be similarly mounted in the frame in substantially contiguous relation to render the character of Ia reflecting nature.

Lustrous backing elements I3 and I3' may also be provided on the rear faces of either or both types of reiiecting pieces 2 and 2' for enhancing the brilliance and reflecting or refracting characteristics of the pieces. l

In order to retainthe pieces within the frame when they have been arranged to conform to the shape ofthe character, the main backing member 5, Fig; 6, is provided. Albacking'for the letter S is shown as an example in Fig. 6 and substantiallyrccnforms to the shape thereof in order that the inner face thereof may engage against the rear faces of the reflecting pieces to maintain the pieces in properly arranged position in the ycharacter frames. Lugs I4 are preferably pro- "orlica l vided at opposite ends of the backing member which have apertures l5 therein alignable with apertures I6 in lugs H mounted on opposite ends of the corresponding character frames. Suitable fastening devices I8, Fig. 3, may then be employed for extension through the apertures of the lugs I1 and i4 for subsequent engagement in suitable apertures i9 in the standard 2U of the sign 2 l Fig. 1, to removably mount the characters on the standard and thus form a demountable legend for the sign.

In order to assure retention of the reflecting pieces Within the character frame, I preferably provide ribs 22, 23, 24, and 25, Fig. 2, which are suitably connected, as by being cast as a part of the frame, with predetermined portions of the inner peripheral edges of the rims 6 of the frames. The ribs are shown as being substantially parallel in Figs. 2 and 4. This is for the reason, however, that certain portions of the strokes of the rim forming the letter S are advantageously braced in that manner. Other characters, for example, thev letter T, as shown in Fig. 1, may better be provided with angularly disposed ribs for adequately bracing the frame which corresponds to that letter.

In any event, it is preferable that the ribs be arranged in overlapping relation to the adjacent edges of the reecting pieces in order that any space between the pieces may be covered by the ribs, the ribs overlapping the adjacent edges of the pieces in such manner that the pieces are retained Within the frame.

Thus, should one of the reflecting pieces of a character be broken, the other pieces of the same character are still retained within the frame for that character.

It is also preferable that the frames be formed of light, lustrous material, for example, aluminum, so that the frame itself' is of a generally reflective nature.

Inv Fig. 8, a modied form of standard 26 is disclosed', which is provided with an embossed character 21 and spaced apertures 28 adjacent the ends of the character. A frame 29, which is of substantially the same construction as the frame ldescribed in connection with the preferred form of invention, may be employed with a sign having the modified form. Individual reecting pieces 3G either of the type illustrated in Fig. 10 or of the type already described, may also be employed. In the modified form of invention, the backing plate 3l is preferably provided with a rim 324 defining the conformation of the character desired, which, in the present instance, is in the form of the letter S. The body portion 33 of the backing member is embossed, as particularly shown, at 311 in Fig. 9, in such a manner that the backing may simply engage the embossed character 21 on the standard 25. Alignable apertured lugs 35 are also provided on the respective frames and backing members, which are adapted to receive fastening devices 36 capable of being extended through the apertures 28 in the standard Z6 for mounting the characters on the modiiied form of sign to form a suitable legend.

Reflecting and/or refracting pieces of the character illustrated in Fig. 10`may be advantageously employed in signs of this character with either form of standard and backing disclosed. The illustrated fragment 2' of the reflecting and/or refracting piece in this `form of the invention comprises a suitable front face and a prismatic back face 31. The back face 3T may or may not be provided with the lustrous backing I3 previously referred to. When employed, the lustrous backing precludes collection of dust on the prisms proper and particularly in the pockets formed at the junctures of the sides of the prisms thus enhancing the reiiecting and refracting characteristics of the pieces.

Even when a lustrous backing is originally employed and subsequently wears ofi" due to use, the inherent reflecting and refracting qualities of the prismatic pieces function to prolong the eiciency of the sign. It is contemplated that these pieces may bel cut to desired shape from a sheet of rolled glass or other suitable substantially transparent substance.

The principal advantages in a sign constructed in accordance with the forms of the present invention are that individual characters may be cast in sheets and out to size in quantities more economically than plates comprising complete legends. Replacements of individual characters are also simpler and more economical than with a sign where complete legend plates are employed. If the standard of the sign is hit, the resulting distortion oi the sign is normally between characters of the legend for the reason that the character bearing portions of the sign are reinforced by the characters while the portions of the sign between characters are relatively weak. The characters are, for that reason, not damaged. The individual reflecting pieces are another feature of the invention which renders its employment advantageous for the reason that, when a piece is broken, the character is not useless because the other pieces remain intact and the broken piece may be easily replaced. Further, storage of the parts ofv signs of this character is facilitated due to the compact nature of the parts making up the sign.

I claim:

l. A sign` of the character described including a standard, a legend for the standard' formed of a character unit mounted on the standard, an element capable of reilecting light rays mounted in the character unit, said element comprising a plurality of pieces arranged to conform to the shape of the character unit, and ribs on the character unit adapted to brace the same, said ribs being arranged to expose portions of the element and cover the spaces between said pieces to retain the pieces against falling outwardly relative to said character unit.

2. In combination with a standard having an embossed legend, a sign character shaped to conform to the legend including a frame, an element capable of reflecting light rays removably mounted in the frame, and means mounting the frame on the standard over the legend, the embossed legend engaging within the frame to center the frame relative to the standard and to normally retain the reflecting element in the frame.

3. In combination with a standard having an embossed legend, a sign character shaped to conform to the legend including a frame, a reiiecting element mounted in the frame, means for mounting the frame on the standard over the legend, and an embossed backing member corresponding to the shape of the character and engageable therewith to retain the reflecting element in the frame.

HORACE N. CARVER. 

